Very good point Cockeral!

You know, I (and I assume others who frequent this forum) often read or hear what the experts are expressing, think something to ourselves (like, what the hell was he/she saying?) and then continue on with our day because we are long since fed up with expressing our 'doubts' about the truth. I did exactly that with Rickard's comments, wondering just like you, what Mr. Rickards is really up to.

This is not the first time I have noticed this type of anomaly from him and others and they are increasing in frequency. The man is absolutely brilliant but let's be real; he advises US and foreign government and banking elites. The fact that he is totally ignoring the ugly truth is most unsettling for those of us who must assume he is working both sides of the street. By the way, his 'estimate' of China's gold holdings are also most misleading. So, he's really making up for lost ground here. A man with his reputation, respect and intelligence (and formerly unstained credibility) MUST be right. What will be the inevitable cost for him?

I think those with the power have done a very good job of 'persuading' many highly visible 'experts' to at the very least, create doubt, or in Rickard's case, wax dichotomous. For the imperceptive the intent would be to assure the meekly inquisitive that the US vaults bulge not only with their own 'reported' but unaudited 8,000 tons of reserves, but also thousands of tons held in 'safety' for many foreign countries.

Here's another interesting little tidbit. The other day I noticed a commercial letter writer's offer to fully refund the annual subscription rate (I think it was about $900) IF the price of gold did not decline to $1030 this year. My shrinking brain almost waxed contorted wondering what the angle was: 1) WHO has absolutely assured this market sage/dupe this will be so. 2) Does he really believe it? 3) Has someone guaranteed to cover any losses he might realize just to give the impression that gold is a bad investment? There are countless possibilities.

We live in very treacherous times according to the incomparable 'Jesse'. How we must plan for them has now become almost insular. Precious rare are those who wish to invest in discussing the worthy and weighty information that exists outside the major media propaganda ... or watch such rascals as a 'Max Keiser' lampoon the western establishment on a daily basis from his office perch across from the Tower of London on the Thames. The timing is most unpredictable. The 'Beast' has chronic, terminal bowel disease with symptoms